2. Klein Collins Tigers
Coach: Drew Svoboda
Last year: 8-3 (DI bi-district finalist)
Key players: ATH Jordan Thomas, Sr.; LB Christian Snow, Sr.; CB Jeremy Winchester, Sr.
Notable: The defense — with seven starters back — will be counted on to lead, especially with a standout like Thomas, who will line up all over the field.

4. Dekaney Wildcats
Coach: Anthony Williams
Last year: 6-4 (DII bi-district finalist)
Key players: RB Demarcus Felton, Sr.; DE Isadore Outing, Sr.; DL Roderick Young, Jr.
Notable: Two years removed from a state title, the Wildcats have another talented back to lead the way under first-year head coach Williams.

5. Spring Lions
Coach: Sam Parker
Last year: 3-7
Key players: QB Darius Lee-Campbell, Sr.; S Willis Sykes, Jr.; LB Paul Love, Sr.
Notable: Lee-Campbell is one of the area’s most exciting players, but it will be the returning starters — 18 in all — who could have the Lions in the hunt.

6. Klein Oak Panthers
Coach: David Smith
Last year: 3-7
Key players: LB Josh Mabin, Sr.; RB Larenzo Stewart, Sr.; QB Jordan Davis, Sr.
Notable: After a step back in 2012, the Panthers hope to ride the momentum from a track and field team that finished second at the 5A state meet.

10 Cypress Lakes Spartans
Coach: Robert Blackshear
Last year: 0-10
Key players: DT Khaleeq Griffin, Sr., S James Oliver, Jr.
Notable: The Spartans are 2-28 in their first three varsity seasons, so a two-win season would be an improvement.-Jason McDaniel

18-5A

1. Alief Taylor Lions
Coach: J.D. Jordan
Last year: 8-4 (DI area finalist)
Key players: WR Keenan Brown, Sr.; CB Chris Hardeman, Sr.; QB Remi Olanade, Jr.
Notable: Five Division I college recruits are gone from last year’s team, but the cupboard is not bare for the district favorite.

3. Elsik Rams
Coach: Bill Barron
Last year: 9-4 (DI regional semifinalist)
Key players: LB Joseph Byrd, Sr.; OL Emmanuel Gabriels, Sr.; WR Ishmael Zamora, Sr.
Notable: Barron has led the Rams to the playoffs four years in a row and is one victory away from No. 100 at Elsik and No. 200 for his career.

5. Aldine Mustangs
Coach: Lionel Crawford
Last year: 4-6
Key players: WR Timothy Calhoun, Sr.; WR; Joe Lewis, Sr.
Notable: The defense needs improvement, as the Mustangs gave up 35 points three times in their final four games of 2012.

2. Cinco Ranch Cougars
Coach: Don Clayton
Last year: 8-4 (DI area finalist)
Key players: SS Trent Soechting, Sr.; QB Luke Klinger, Sr.; DE Tobi Ilesammi, Sr.
Notable: The Soechting-led defense could end among the best in program history and will be counted on early while the offense comes together.

7. Strake Jesuit Crusaders
Coach: James Clancy
Last year: 2-8
Key players: LB Emmanuel Ellerbee, Sr.; QB Colby Chapman, Sr.; RB Dwyer Bucey, Jr.
Notable: Chapman moves over from wide receiver, but the start will be key — the Crusaders were outscored 115-14 in their first three games in 2012.

8. Mayde Creek Rams
Coach: Lance Carter
Last year: 3-7
Key players: FB
LB Nick Hanson, Sr.; DE/TE Mark Simon, Sr.; RB Kevin Burnette, Jr.
Notable: Only three starters return, but a slew of newcomers could help turn the page for a program with one district victory in three years.-Angel Verdejo Jr.

6. Chavez Lobos
Coach: Cory Jiles
Last year: 1-9
Key players: S Chad Eakins, Sr; RB Cory Owens, Sr.
Notable: Jiles is the first head coach out of last three to stay for more than a year. He brings back 16 starters.

7. Sam Houston Tigers
Coach: Rodney Dotson
Last year: 2-8
Key players: OL James Bart, Sr.; WR Jarmain Boyd, Sr.
Notable: The Tigers must improve on the 54 total points they scored in district games last season.
-Corey Roepken

1. Bush Broncos
Coach: Allen Aldridge
Last year: 10-2 (DII area finalist)
Key players: LB Olasunkanmi Adeniyi, Sr.; FS Jyren McCain, Sr.
Notable: The last three years have been the best by far for Bush, and the Broncos could continue the upward trend.

4. Hightower Hurricanes
Coach: Padriac McGinnis
Last year: 5-5
Key players: LB Matthew Adams, Sr.; RB Roosevelt Appleton, Sr.; LB Joelle Williams, Sr.
Notable: The Hurricanes will have a large number of seniors in the starting lineup as they look to get back to the postseason.

5. Dulles Vikings
Coach: Jim Creech
Last year: 7-5 (DII area finalist)
Key players: OL David Borrego, Sr.; WR Michael Boyd, Sr.
Notable: The offensive line will be a strength the Vikings have to ride as they search for up-and-coming skill players.

5. Willis Wildkats
Coach: Audie Jackson
Last year: 2-8
Key players: WR Chris Platt, Sr.; DL Dayon Goodwin, Sr.; WR
K Dalton Jackson, Sr.
Notable: It could be a tough climb in 18-4A this year for the Wildkats, but nine defensive starters are back and Platt is a dangerous weapon in all three phases.

7. Willowridge Eagles
Coach: Richard Lazarou
Last year: 3-7
Key players: OL Trent Minor, Sr.; OL Jose Strickland, Sr.; WR
DB Nathan Hagan, Sr.
Notable: Expect ups and downs, as the Eagles will not only be young but working with their third head coach in as many years.

1. Angleton Wildcats
Coach: Ryan Roark
Last year: 10-3 (DI regional semifinalist)
Key players: DT Rashaud Harris, Sr.; QB T.J. Josey, Sr.; DE Brad Randolph, Sr.
Notable: A large senior class is gone, but if Josey is at full strength after missing half of 2012 with a knee injury the Wildcats could be up to their old playoff tricks.

7.Tarkington Longhorns
Coach: Brandon Carpenter
Last year: 3-7
Key players: QB Hunter Johnson, Jr.; WR Alex Latham, Jr.; LB Zach Chapman, Jr.
Notable: If the Longhorns are going to make the playoffs for the first time since 1956, a strong junior class will have to keep making strides.-Angel Verdejo Jr.

2. Columbia Roughnecks
Coach: Randy Lynch
Last year: 8-4 (DII area finalist)
Key players: DE Dennis Moody, Jr.; QB Jarius Keese, Jr.; RB DaKarius Bell, So.
Notable: The Roughnecks, who won 25 games in 2010 and 2011, could be in for a rough year with only four returning starters.

1. Hallettsville Brahmas
Coach: Tommy Psencik
Last year: 12-1 (regional finalist)
Key players: DB Dalton Herrington, Sr.; QB Nate Kowalik, Jr.; LB Justin Reeves, Sr.
Notable: With 15 starters returning, the Brahmas believe this season can be better than 2012, when they won district for the first time since 1991.

2. Hempstead Bobcats
Coach: Ricky Sargent
Last year: 9-4 (regional semifinalist)
Key players: OL Josh Roberts, Sr.; QB Will Smith, Jr.; DE Fred Tompkins, Jr.
Notable: Smith accounted for 3,300 yards of offense last year and again should have the Bobcats contending for a district championship.

3. Edna Cowboys
Coach: Mike Pierce
Last year: 7-4 (bi-district finalist)
Key players: DE Guy Dodson, Sr.; LB David John Kallus, Sr.; OL Anthony Norman, Sr.
Notable: The defense will have to lead the way early as the offense adjusts to nine new starters.